When you hear that it's time for Boomtown, what do you picture?

You probably imagine fireworks, of course, and maybe the larger shells that rock you to your core with the loud booms!

What you don't see are the hours of preparation that goes into the project.

After a tour with Scott Anderson to meet the folks behind the scenes and a crash course in how the big shells are built, you just have to say, "Wow!"

The shell that Scott shot off on Saturday was a 16" shell which took 3 weeks to build. These "shells" are created with what looks like two bowls that are filled with the explosives and the parts that make the pretty designs and then the two sides are sealed together.

Some of the larger shells, while they appeared to be shot from the fairgrounds, were actually launched east of the fairgrounds on the road that runs near the wastewater plant.

There are some of the smaller more creative fireworks displays which are compiled by kids on a 2' X 4' board. They can combine any mix of fireworks but they can only light one fuse to set them all off. There is a competition among the kids to see who can come up with the best design.

While kids are preparing their projects, in other areas of the fairgrounds trailers are ready to be set that has thousands of dollars worth of fireworks ready to shoot off. The trailers have wooden racks that hold the tubes which hold the fireworks. All of the fireworks are set at a bit of an angle so they aren't flying directly over the crowd watching.

The fairgrounds was buzzing early on Saturday morning with preparation as everyone was getting their presentations ready for Saturday's large event.

Because of the nature of the event, there are requirements that must be met for safety. Many of the tasks aren't seen but the group prepares and stores the fireworks in anticipation of the show.

Here are a few photos of what happens behind the scenes, front and center, and around the fairgrounds, downtown, etc...this is almost embarrassingly late, almost...but wow what a week it was!

I have to admit, I'm not much of a big "boom" fan at all. So I found with my ear protection, and shoulda put on my goggles for the front row seats, but it was much more enjoyable! (where did the gal go that used to love stuff blowing up and making loud noises???)

Thanks to Tom Pingenot for his expertise, Scott Anderson for the tour and everyone that provided entertainment, food, the organization to the events of Boomtown, thank you for the wonderful entertainment, you're all the best!

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